Kristi Noem, a Republican politician who served as the 33rd governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025 after representing the state’s at-large congressional district in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2019, is also a devoted wife and mother. She has been married to her husband, Bryon Noem, for many years, and together they share a life on their ranch in South Dakota, surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
Kristi has often spoken about the support Bryon gives her, especially with the demands of political life and managing their ranch. “Women tend to be multi-taskers,” she told News.SD. “Only able to relax when everything is put away, kids are clean, and animals fed. And if we are tired or overwhelmed, you will hear us say, ‘Honey, will you?’”
For Kristi, her spouse, Bryon, is the one who takes on whatever needs to be done. “I am gone a lot,” she explained, “and he is left to handle all things related to kids, ranch, and house.”
She has also expressed her appreciation for the way he keeps their home life in order during her time away. “I know that I am blessed to have a husband who recognizes how wonderful it is for me to come back to a clean house and tended family,” she said. “And he tries to make that happen.”
Here’s what we know about Bryon Noem and their married life.
Who Is Bryon Noem?
Noem, the First Gentleman of South Dakota, was born on December 18, 1969, in Bryant, South Dakota, to Sharon and Al Noem. He grew up in Hamlin County alongside his two brothers.
He attended Hamlin High School, where he happened to be classmates with one of Kristi Noem’s brothers.
After graduating, Bryon went on to Northern State University, earning a degree in business and finance. His early career blended his love for agriculture and community work — he coached basketball, worked on his family’s farm, and helped run their restaurant.
He later took a position at Bryant State Bank as an insurance agent. In time, he purchased the bank’s insurance department and established Noem Insurance, specializing in crop coverage for local farmers.
Kristi Noem’s Husband Currently Runs His Business ‘This is South Dakota’
Bryon became South Dakota’s first First Gentleman in January 2019. Alongside his public role, he has kept his insurance business running and launched This is South Dakota, an initiative that shines a spotlight on the resilience and character of the state’s rural communities.
The program takes him across South Dakota, where he meets residents, visits small businesses, and shares their stories. Although he is not an elected official, Bryon regularly attends public events that encourage community development, working with his wife, Kristi, to help strengthen the state for future generations.
The couple has also invested in small-town ventures, including a local ice cream shop and a hunting lodge.
When Did Kristi and Bryon Get Married?
Kristi and her hubby, Bryon, were high school sweethearts who first connected over their shared love of ranching and farming. They married in 1992 in Watertown, South Dakota, while Kristi was attending Northern State University. She was 20 years old at the time and had been crowned South Dakota Snow Queen in 1990.
Over the years, Kristi has spoken openly about her gratitude for Bryon’s role in their family. “Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity for me to stop for a moment and express to him how grateful I am that our children have such an incredible father,” she once said. “It’s a reminder to me of how blessed I am. Bryon is a partner in all I do and a helpmate through peaceful and busy times. He’s not perfect, but he’s perfect for me. I thank God for the father he gave to Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker.”
Just two years into their marriage, tragedy struck. In March 1994, Kristi’s father, Ron Arnold, was killed in a farming accident when he was pulled into a grain bin. Eight months pregnant at the time, she left college to take over the family farm.
He Is The Father of Three
Bryon and Kristi share three children — Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker — and are also proud grandparents.
Family remains at the center of their lives, a theme the couple often shares in social media posts that show a close and supportive household.
How Much Is Bryon Noem’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Noem’s net worth is estimated at $3 million. On the other hand, his wife, Kristi Noem, has an estimated fortune of $7 million, along with a substantial annual salary from her political career.
